There was talk prior to the 2016 NHL Draft that hockey power Canada was in for a disappointing showing at the NHL’s annual re-stocking of young talent. And, while it is true that just two players that identified as Canadian were chosen among the top 10 selections in this year’s draft, the “Great White North” can rest comfortably knowing that they had a stronger showing overall in 2016 than was the case at the last couple of drafts. Read more»

Photo: Newly-minted Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Auston Matthews will get his first action in the new Maple Leafs sweater at the team’s summer development camp in early July (courtesy of Jeffrey T. Barnes/Getty Images)

To the surprise of few, the Toronto Maple Leafs used the first overall selection at the 2016 NHL Draft on center Auston Matthews, the player widely regarded as the draft’s top prospect. The talented center competed in Switzerland last season, but he should be a strong candidate to make the Maple Leafs roster for the start of the 2016-17 season. Read more»

Photo: Five top prospects for the 2016 NHL Draft were the guests of the NHL during the Stanley Cup Final, with forwards (L-R) Pierre-Luc Dubois, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Patrik Laine, and Alexander Nylander taking Game Four in San Jose (courtesy of Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

While the 2016 NHL Draft lacks some of the drama that was provided leading up to last year’s draft, when Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel vied for the right to go first overall, there is nevertheless some very good talent to be had at the top of this year’s event. And even beyond the top 5, NHL clubs drafting in the first round should be able to land some good talent that will almost certainly suit up for NHL action in the not too distant future. Read more»

Photo: Top 2016 prospect Auston Matthews competed for Team USA at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, posting six goals and nine points in 10 games (courtesy of Pavel Bednyakov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

He has gone coast-to-coast atop the rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft, so the likelihood that center Auston Matthews will be passed over for Finnish star Patrik Laine seems unlikely. The Toronto Maple Leafs, holders of the first pick in this year’s draft, will ultimately decide Matthews fate, but it seems likely that the Scottsdale, AZ native will be donning the blue-and-white at next Friday’s proceedings. Read more»

Photo: Niagara IceDogs goaltender and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alex Nedeljkovic turned in a strong season in the OHL once he was moved from the troubled Flint Firebirds club to Niagara (courtesy of CHL Images)

In this special edition of Prospect Impressions, we kick off the first of our “Best of the Year” series with some of the best saves of the season. Goaltenders were featured heavily throughout the season, with a number of fine saves making their way into our highlight articles in 2015-16. There were a number of special efforts, including one goalie who made a save on his stomach, another who stymied a 2-on-0 breakaway, and a few glove saves that should be investigated for robbery. Read more»